Economic group may be privatized

PROVO — The man in charge of economic development in Utah Valley says Utah County is just hitting its stride.

Utah county's commissioners, however, are saying that which isn't producing results in terms of new jobs and tangible return should be overhauled.

The commission intends to turn the Utah Valley Economic Development Association, now funded with taxpayer money, over to a private company.

But UVEDA director Russ Fotheringham says it's rotten timing since the organization has never been busier or more productive than it is right now.

Others tend to agree.

"It worries me, them going private," said Trista Bishop, who works for Payson city's economic development arm. "I hope they take every opportunity to help that UVEDA has. When I started in this job, I found them very, very helpful. We have had quite a few good leads from them."

Provo's economic development director, Leland Gamette, said UVEDA "has been extremely valuable, particularly over the last two years, and the county communities have been very fortunate to have them."

Historically, UVEDA has served as a resource center for businesses and corporations interested in locating in Utah County.

The association is charged with letting businesses know about the benefits of such a move, available sites, the labor market and Utah Valley demographics.

In other words, they represent and "sell" the communities to the outside world.

When the economy slowed in the 1990s, the organization lost much of its private donor funding, and Utah County government took it over.

"We've had some significant successes with Russ Fotheringham and the organization as a county function, but even he's recommending privatization," Commissioner Gary Herbert said. "It might be that we can get a bigger bang for the buck by going a different direction."

Indeed, Fotheringham said he favors the privatization change, especially since he can't get the additional staff or money he needs from the county.

But the push for privatization comes at a difficult and strange time, he said.

"We've never had as many leads or as much activity. We're busy," he said. "We currently have more leads, and have had more visits than we have ever had in the history of UVEDA and Utah County."

Gamette said Fotheringham instituted monthly gathering-and-sharing sessions that have proven to be productive. Advertising as a county has been successful, he said. "UVEDA needs to continue," Gamette said.

Fotheringham said once the Provo Municipal Airport has a manned tower and when improvements to I-15 reduce travel time to and from Salt Lake City International Airport, more big businesses will look longer at Utah County.